I think I liked the first book better, but there was a lot to hold my interest in this sequel book. Mystery, romance, humor. This book has it all. And the ending ... all I can say is "it's about time." Now, on to book 3! ( )

After being reminded by a friend that this series is delightfully like "curling up with a cup of tea," I realized that the whole series is missing from my Goodreads list. It's been quite a while since I've read this book, so I'm just guessing on the date. I won't rate it, because the details are fuzzy, but I loved this series. Don't pick it up if you're looking for something exceptionally deep or literary. It's just a warm-hearted and good series with characters striving to learn and do what it right.

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This second book in the series has more plot and less proselytizing.

Still, there is the tiring trope of the absent minded rector not seeing that
his cousin is stealing from him as did the Attic Man in his church.

Also readers may hope hthat he becomes less timid and more taking action when needed. ( )

not a book club book ( )

Mitford is one of those small towns where everyone knows everyone else. If you grew up in a small town, you probably know people just like these. The book is set in a peaceful past; I suspect the snows of 1960 might have influenced the snows in this book.

The 60-year-old Father Tim has much to learn from his parishioners and friends in this installment. His neighbor, Cynthia, also has much to teach. And Cousin Meg from Ireland ... let's just say she has much to teach as well.

This book really had me empathizing with Father Tim and Cynthia. I understand how hard it is to finally fall in love when you are older. So I read to see the thoughts of two kind people who care for each other but are perhaps set in their ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the people portrayed. In trying times, this book was a balm to my spirit. As the book focuses on Father Tim, it isn't surprising Christianity is interwoven in the story.

I strongly suggest that a reader starts at the beginning of the series (At Home in Mitford) so that the reader experiences the whole story and enjoys the book as the story grows with the characters. ( )

2nd in series

Interesting reading how a single paster in his 60s reacts to the normal things such as being attracted, caring about a female, and trying to figure out the whole dating game with his neighbor, Cynthia, and her cat. Enjoyed the foster child, Dooley, and the housekeeper, Puny, with their thoughts about his life. Surprised at the cousin from Ireland's behavior. Main Street Cafe continues with local gossip and humor. ( )

This is the 2nd novel in this Mitford series and picks up where book one left off. This small town is never boring and there is always something going on. As the back cover says so well regarding this book and Father Tim: "His attractive neighbor is tugging at his heartstrings. A wealthy widow is pursuing him with hot casseroles. And his red-haired Cousin Meg has moved into the rectory uninvited." I found myself laughing out loud a couple times in this story. It is not, for me, a spell-binding, can't -put -down kind of story, but a refreshing, see- what- happens -next in this town and to Father Tim kind of story that I can pick up and read a few chapters whenever I have some time. Will definately continue to read the other books in this series. ( )

I'm not sure if I can finish this [I'm almost at the half-way point]. I read the first in the series, and it was cute enough. Well, clearly I'd forgotten a lot. It's actually rather saccharine and corny, but this is ever so much worse than the first one.

It seems that Rev. Tim, a 60-year-old, life-long bachelor, Episcopalian priest has become besotted with his neighbor, the lovely Cynthia Coppersmith, who has amazing legs. But, Cynthia is working in New York, trying to finish up a book. So, we're "treated" to their love letters back and forth, love letters that sound like they might have been written by 14-year old adolescents. I literally thought I might vomit in the middle of a chapter that was just back-and-forth letters.

In the mean time, a rich widow, Edith Mallory has designs on Fr. Tim, and she is not at all shy about letting him know about her designs. Yuck!

Life's too short for this crap. I'm done! ( )

A return to Mitford finds Father Tim with woman problems - he has a weird "cousin" arrive unexpectedly from Ireland, girlfriend issues with Cynthia, and widow Edith is anxious to replace her deceased husband with him.

It was a heart-warming read, but I really had a hard time staying connected to the story. I don't think I will be reading anymore from this series, just too blah for me. ( )

Among other goings-on in the town of Mitford, Father Tim is having trouble with women. His eccentric cousin Meg, whom he happens not to know, shows up for an uninvited, indefinite stay at his house. Recently widowed Edith is hot on Father Tim’s bachelor tail. Not to mention that he’s falling for his neighbor, Cynthia, and he doesn’t know what to do about it in A Light in the Window, a novel by author Jan Karon.

Another delightful jaunt through town in this second book in the Mitford Years series. So endlessly cute and humorous. And I always appreciate a read where the author can continually surprise me. They don’t have to be big, flashy surprises, but even cleverly simple ones keep me engaged and on my toes. I like not being able to predict everything the story or a character is going to say or do next.

One stretch I enjoyed most in this novel was the small-town Christmas season. But even more than that, there’s something refreshing about a main character in his sixties who’s never been married, feeling clueless as he navigates the daunting twists and turns of romance and wonders at the untapped recesses of his own heart. I’ll admit there were a few times when Cynthia aggravated me more than Tim did, but some of their letters to each other made me ache in a (very good) way I’m not sure I’ve ached before, while reading a love story. Just…gol-lee.

When a novel can make you slap it closed and literally hug it after you’ve finished it, something definitely went right. I’m looking forward to continuing this series. ( )

I had a really hard time staying focused on this story, as there didn't seem to be one major plot; there were just a lot of little subplots all involving Rector Tim but not meshing into one overarching storyline. I also did not like the ending, no explanation at all! :( ( )

This is the second in the Mitford Series, Jan Karon delivers a love story that is both heart warming and hilarious. Only time will tell if the village parson can practice what he preached.

I so liked the first book in the series but found Father Timothy's indecion on so many points as annoying as he did! Still a good read ( )

This is the second book in Jan Karon's delightful 'Mitford' series set in a small village in the South of the USA. Father Tim and his neighbour Cynthia enjoy each other's company and are attracted to each other. But Cynthia has to spend several months in New York, and Father Tim is followed by a pushy widow, and plays host to an Irish cousin who eats anything she finds... meanwhile he continues to deal with his diabetes, counsels friends and parishioners, and tries to find what his heart holds.

No thrilling plot-line, no huge mysteries, but a beautifully written novel with realistic characters who I came to care about considerably by the end of the book. God is a big part of their lives, but is not brought into the book in an over-obvious or annoying way.

Definitely recommended.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-light-in-window-by-jan-karon.html ( )

After sixty years as a bachelor, Father Tim has fallen madly in love with his next-door neighbor Cynthia. The problem is that he's afraid, afraid of the irrevocability of opening his heart to another person, afraid to let someone else into his comfortable, settled life. And when he draws back, it causes both of them pain. When Cynthia takes an extended trip to New York, will Fr. Tim gain a greater appreciation of what he stands to lose? And of course, even as Fr. Tim and Cynthia are caught up in the throes of romance, life in Mitford goes on. Fr. Tim must also continue to deal with raising a boy who came to him out of hard circumstances, playing host to a reclusive cousin who takes up residence in his guest room, and being pursued by a recently widowed parishioner who's clearly interested in more than just pastoral care.

This is one of my favorite Mitford novels, though in truth I love all of them. The romance and character development are just splendidly written. Another comfort read that I highly recommend! ( )

Just as pleasant as the first book in the series - and the Hero finally gets his woman! ( )

The romance goes on--like a see saw and more like real life (between the father and his next door neighbor). Jan keeps the pathos going in this second book of the Mitford series and I couldn't put it down once again! ( )

I have read this book before and really enjoy the recounting of small town life. I like the way the author makes the characters human. I like how they don't always get it perfect. I also like how she recounts the thoughts they have in their heads. I did think that the Edith Mallory parts of the story were a bit too much. ( )

Intermixed with enjoyable scenes of life in Mitford is the very real battle that Father Tim goes through as he learns to let go of fear, open his heart to love, and become vulnerable. I enjoyed these themes on both the level of his romance with Cynthia, and on the level of one's relationship with God. Ms. Karon writes a story that contains some traditional "romance" elements such as misunderstandings and separations - but she makes them real in that her characters work through their difficulties and aren't driven by lust. I love Father Tim. ( )

In this second book of the series, we are treated to the further adventures of Father Tim, Barnabas, Dooley, Miss Sadie and all the other now well-established townsfolk. Father Tim is struggling with his relationship with Cynthia--agonizing over the correct action and terrified of making a commitment. But despite his desperation to keep his distance, his has not one but TWO widows after him, one fairly unsavory. The romantic plot thickens.

Meantime, work is going ahead on Hope House, the assisted living home that is the dream of Miss Sadie. Dooley is a teenage handful, and the construction boss on he Hope House site is making himself vastly unpopular throughout Mitford. And life goes on for the residents of this small town set in the Piedmont of North Carolina.

There’s not a lot of action in this book--just every day living, which Karon is superb at bringing alive. She has cut back some on her presentation of Christianity; it’s still there but it’s not as ubiquitous as in the first book; it leans more towards religion in fiction rather than religious fiction.

Highly recommended for those who want a break from action-adventure spy thrillers, police procedurals, and noir in general. ( )

This is filled with miracles and mysteries of everyday life. Realizing that life in a small town is rarely quiet and absolutely never boring.

Not so good as the first book; not so many new characters and events. I might still read the next one to see whether Dooley adapts well to an expensive private school... ( )

Even better than the first in this series of "gentle fiction." If the first book was a drink of cool water, this one felt more like a mug of hot chocolate--more emotional intensity, but still easy to swallow. ( )